great diversity of tasks. As an example, the materials processing program currently requires the development and study of three major areas, i.e., crystal growth, containerless processing and fluid and chemical processing. Each of these could benefit from a mechanized, perhaps autonomous, system. The innovative use of space is of benefit to us all, with most countries recognizing the potential for resource development offered by satellite communication and remote sensing. Also international cooperation in space programs can realistically advance the socioeconomic base of a country. Canada is a good example of a country that relies on such cooperation, with the RMS being built under an agreement between Canada and the United States, in which Canada funded the design and development of the arm in consideration for preferential shuttle rates and launch scheduling. The program has also allowed Canada to build up an impressive lead in manipulator technology. It has been apparent since the industrial revolution that progress in our industrial world relies upon the development and efficient use of technology. Man is now ready to expand this industrialization into space. To achieve this advance with the appropriate use of human resources and utilize machines to their fullest potential, use must be made of machine intelligence in an effort to optimize task accomplishments. Acknowledgement — The author wishes to thank Spar Aerospace Limited, Canada, for the support to present this paper.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==